What are CER's?

Continuing Education Requirements

U.S. Figure Skating rule MR 5.12 states that coaches must complete CER annually. To be compliant a coach must successfully complete a course and exam in the following topics:

Professional Ethics (Category A & B)

Sport Safety and Science (Category A & B)

U.S. Figure Skating Rules (Category A & B)

International Judging System Rules (Category A only)

Professional sport science support service personnel who accompany a skater at a competition or test session but do not coach (i.e. psychologist, athletic trainer, etc) must submit a signed affidavit stating credentials and be able to produce current proof of professional credentials in their field of expertise. (Category D)

Coaches not in compliance with the stated requirements will be considered “non-compliant” members of U.S. Figure Skating and the Professional Skater’s Association (PSA), and will not be allowed to coach athletes, nor have contact at a venue for practice and/or at U.S. Figure Skating events until all requirements have been met.

Understanding Private Instruction

Coaches are Independent Contractors

Private lessons can be beneficial to all skaters regardless of their age and skating level as these are one on one instructional time. Lessons can be weekly or bi-weekly that you and your selected coach have committed to. You want to progress faster than other’s for basic skills, test, participate in competitions, freestyle, moves in the field, ice dance, power skating, synchronized skating and ice hockey is available.

The agreement you enter into with a coach for private instruction is between you and the coach of your choice for ongoing lessons.

Contact your lesson coach directly when needing to cancel your scheduled lesson. St. Louis Skating Club is not responsible for parent/coach communications.

Payment is made directly to the coach.

Selecting a Coach

CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to enhance your skating career with private instruction. Finding a coach can be an overwhelming and intimidating experience, these feelings are certainly understandable. Please use this guide to assist you in making a coaching selection that you and your child will be happy with for years to come.

First, watch the coach teach his/her lessons.

Then inquire with the coach if he/she is accepting new students.

Ask about their coaching philosophy.

Is the coach PSA-rated or ranked

How do they stay current with the sport & profession of coaching

Do you share the same philosophy?

How will the skater and coaches personality match?

Schedule a few try out lessons with the coach.

Changing Coaches

If for any reason you feel a coaching change is in the best interest of your child please follow the proper procedures listed:

PARENTS:

Contact your current coach and express your reasons for wanting to switch to another coach. There may be a way to correct the situation and the need to switch could be resolved before a change is necessary.

Discuss this possible change with your child. Make sure that he/she is comfortable with the changes you are about to make.

Once the decision to change has been made, make sure that you have paid your account balance in full with your current coach.

Respect what the former coach has done for your skater. Degrading the former coach will get you no where with other skating parents.

Before any lessons begin with the new coach, the new coach must confirm with the former coach that these steps have been followed.

SKATERS:

Switching coaches should not affect the skater’s relationship with other skaters or coaches.

Respect what the former coach has done for you and your skating. Degrading the former coach will get you no where with other skaters.

Do not isolate or make an outcast of any skater who has switched from your coach to another coach.

Do not encourage others to switch from their current coach.

NEW COACH:

Instruct the new parent to first make contact with the former coach.

When this has been done, contact the former coach to make sure there is no possible resolution to the situation.

Confirm with the former coach that all outstanding balances are paid in full prior to scheduling any lessons. NO lessons should be given prior to receiving confirmation.

Respect what the former coach has done for the skater. If technique changes need to be made, do so without degrading the former coach’s method.

Our Mission

The mission of St. Louis Skating Club is to promote, encourage and improve all areas of amateur skating, in all disciplines. St. Louis Skating Club encourages a fraternal feeling among ice skaters and strives to raise the standard and level of figure skating by encouraging testing and competitive skating and by providing skaters access to qualified club-approved coaches.

501(c)(3)

St. Louis Skating Club is a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Any gift you make is tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.